Sacramental Preparation Ministry

Marriage Preparation Lead Couples

Couples participating in Marriage Preparation present the easy-to-follow program “A Marriage in the Lord” and help prepare young couples for marriage. Marriage preparation weekends are held on several dates offered by the Family Life Office of the Diocesse of Hamilton. Most preparation is held on Friday evening and all day Saturday. If you are interested in assisting, please speak to the pastor or call the Family Ministry Office of the Diocese of Hamilton. They provide experience and training.

Confirmation Preparation Volunteers

Our parish has a preparation retreat day for children in grade seven who are preparing to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation. Volunteers assist our parish priest to help teach the fundamental aspects of the Sacrament and participate in fun activities with the students. They are assisted by the grade seven teachers. and volunteers from the parish community. Volunteers also assist in planning and assisting at the Confirmation celebrations. Some basic knowledge of the faith is required as well as good presentation skills. Any person who is comfortable with young people would do well in this Ministry which is in development within the parish. Confirmations are celebrated in June.

First Communion and First Reconciliation Preparation

We provide preparation for the parents of children in grade two who wish to present their children to the faith community for the celebration of First Reconciliation and the reception of First Eucharist. Volunteers work with our Pastoral Team to plan and lead parent preparation meetings, to organize the celebration of these sacraments and assist in the celebrations by welcoming parents and assisting the children.

Baptismal Preparation Team

The Parish Baptismal Preparation team. The preparation team attends sessions providing a welcoming atmosphere and hospitality and in leading the preparation. They also assist in the baptismal celebration. It is our hope that the baptismal team will make a difference in the lives of families experiencing a new birth and help them deepen their faith commitment. The commitment involves one baptismal preparation meeting of one hour duration a few times per year depending on the number of active volunteers.. Team members should be comfortable about discussing their faith.

Catechetical Ministries

Catechists and Sponsors for RCIA

The RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults) is an invitation to un-baptized persons to join the community of Catholic Christians. This happens through the reception of the Sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. It is also open to those Christians, baptized in other faiths, who wish to enter into full communion with the Catholic Church. The process is a journey of faith in which the parish community assists in preparing the candidates for the reception of the sacraments by catechesis, sponsorship, and above all, by prayer. Catechists make a commitment of 1 1/2 hours per week, from September until May. They should have some knowledge of the adult faith learning process, as well as a basic knowledge of the Catholic faith. Sponsors support the candidates on their faith journey and are encouraged to attend all sessions with the candidate.

Children’s Catechetical Program (Catechists)

Volunteers work with the parish coordinator. They assist children in public schools or children age 7 or higher in Catholic schools who are missing sacraments to learn about their faith. Faith formation is provided for all catechists. The total time commitment is two hours per week, usually in the evenings, from September to June. Ideally. we would like parents who have children enrolled in the program to assist. We are happy, however, to include anyone who is a fully initiated Catholic over the age of 16 to assist with this ministry. This is a great ministry for aspiring Catholic teachers. It provides great practice in teaching religion. It also helps potential teachers to know their faith more fully, while providing a valuable service to our faith community.

About Assumption Parish

Our Lady of the Assumption Parish is in the Diocese of Hamilton in Ontario, Canada. This parish serves Upper Stoney Creek, Hannon and Binbrook, Ontario.